Seattle Pipe Club Request For Legislative Relief

Summary The Seattle Pipe Club would like for the Washington State legislature to amend the law put into effect by SSB 5340 last session. Because there are so few places selling pipe tobacco, and so many blends, it is often impossible to purchase a preferred pipe tobacco by any other means than mail order. By outlawing mail order, the changes incorporated in SSB 5340 make it impossible for our members to enjoy their hobby to the fullest and make it difficult for tobacconists to survive. We are adult taxpaying residents of Washington State and respectfully request that the law be amended to allow for the mail order of pipe tobacco.

Pipe Smoking Is Unique

• Pipe smoking is a hobby, not a habit, and pipe smoke is not inhaled
• Most health and life insurance companies treat pipe smokers as non smokers
• Pipe smoking has been shown to be the safest method of tobacco consumption
• Most pipe tobacco sold is "aromatic" and designed to smell nice and contain very little nicotine

Pipe Tobacco Blends

• The best tobacconists can only carry a tiny fraction of the tens of thousands of blends available
• Many pipe tobacco blends are hand blended from closely guarded secret recipes and only available directly from the blender (the nearest master blender is in Portland, Oregon)
• Each pipe aficionado has their own idea of what is "best" and people spend significant effort finding their preferred blends, often mail ordering from many different blenders

Pipe Tobacco Distribution

• Tobacconists in Washington State are few and have been disappearing fast
• The current law forbids them to mail tobacco even to long standing customers
• Pipe smokers that live in rural areas are therefore extremely upset with the status quo
• Logically the state will lose revenue as pipe smokers shift to less expensive and lower quality "drugstore" blends that are readily available locally

Pipe Tobacco Regulation

• Tobacco has always been heavily regulated and heavily taxed
• The penalties for mail order of pipe tobacco in Washington State are severe and perhaps draconian, the purchase of a single $8.95 tin could lead to a Class C felony conviction and $10,000 in fines
• The law as written is very broad and, strictly interpreted, also forbids many common hobby activities, including personal gifts or trading
• The intent of the law was to keep kids from buying cigarettes by mail
• There is no evidence that children are taking up pipe smoking or purchasing pipe tobacco via mail
• An adult should be able to purchase a perfectly legal product and have it mailed to a private residence
• For veterans, or folks who are elderly and unable to drive, the restrictions are especially galling

Last updated December 9 2009